Preferred downshifting method?

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by MisterSheep

I would go to 3rd gear and when u start to get below 1500 rpms follow this sequence;
Clutch in
3rd to neutral
Clutch out
coast to stop
wait at light til green
clutch in
first gear
go.

Never just hold the clutch in when not needed. That puts premature wear on your throw out bearing and out cars are notorious for having bad TOB..

Hi. Could we get the IKEA version of these instructions? Kthxbyeeeeee.

[Luftwaffel]

I'm with @Tcoat. All of the overanalyzing.

Syncros do all the work for you. Any downshift blipping/rev matching, heel toe, etc is all above and beyond the necessary.

I'd like to take a second to counter something said before though. Coasting to a stop out of gear is a good way to end up in a situation you can't get out of. Stay in gear until you're at a point that your engine can no longer sustain it, or downshift.

[Wired86]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffel

I'm with @Tcoat. All of the overanalyzing.

Syncros do all the work for you. Any downshift blipping/rev matching, heel toe, etc is all above and beyond the necessary.

I'd like to take a second to counter something said before though. Coasting to a stop out of gear is a good way to end up in a situation you can't get out of. Stay in gear until you're at a point that your engine can no longer sustain it, or downshift.

Okay. This is probably a stupid question now, but how do I downshift without rev matching? Do I just wait until the rpms get low enough by taking my foot off the gas and then shift smoothly down? Or do I just do it whenever I want and let the engine brake as long as it isn't going to redline?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffel

. Stay in gear until you're at a point that your engine can no longer sustain it, or downshift.

I have given up even presenting that fact since some people just don't seem to get the simple concept of in gear = control of the car, coasting in neutral = soapbox racer.
Be prepared for the multi "But Bro brakes are cheaper than engines" responses.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Wired86

Okay. This is probably a stupid question now, but how do I downshift without rev matching? Do I just wait until the rpms get low enough by taking my foot off the gas and then shift smoothly down? Or do I just do it whenever I want and let the engine brake as long as it isn't going to redline?

Both, depending upon circumstances. There is no one answer to this. I could show you how to do the various different things and what circumstances they are best for but to try to reply in print is almost impossible.

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffel

I'm with @Tcoat. All of the overanalyzing.

Syncros do all the work for you. Any downshift blipping/rev matching, heel toe, etc is all above and beyond the necessary.

I'd like to take a second to counter something said before though. Coasting to a stop out of gear is a good way to end up in a situation you can't get out of. Stay in gear until you're at a point that your engine can no longer sustain it, or downshift.

Synchros do work but I disagree in general. If you drive even just slightly aggressive dragging the clutch will cause jerky shifts.

IMO anyone who regularly drives "spiritedly" should rev match

[Wired86]

Damnit. I need just sit in a car with a good manual driver for a while to learn shit. I mean, I can get from point A to point B now, but I want to get better. I want to learn these situations. Trying to figure them out for myself will work I'm sure, but it will take a long time. haha. I'm almost at 1k miles, and I still feel like such a newby.

[ZionsWrath]

I'm 40k still feel like a nub

Learn by doing man

[SmileyMe]

Wait, so to confirm do not hold down the clutch at like a stop light? Have I been doing this wrong the whole time? ffs

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by SmileyMe

Wait, so to confirm do not hold down the clutch at like a stop light? Have I been doing this wrong the whole time? ffs

A few seconds fine. A few minutes no.

[Luftwaffel]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

Synchros do work but I disagree in general. If you drive even just slightly aggressive dragging the clutch will cause jerky shifts.

IMO anyone who regularly drives "spiritedly" should rev match

I never said your shifts wouldn't be jerky, I said it isn't necessary. I always blip and actually heel toe if I'm trying to decelerate faster. I get a lot more lash than most if I don't blip though, too many bushings and stiffeners.

Originally Posted by SmileyMe

Wait, so to confirm do not hold down the clutch at like a stop light? Have I been doing this wrong the whole time? ffs

No, you'll eat your throwout bearing faster. Also don't rest your hand on the shifter.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

I'm 40k still feel like a nub

Learn by doing man

40 YEARS and still screw up every now and then.

[bababooey]

occasionally when downshifting, you may miss the time window for getting back into gas smoothly. rpms drop too low and let the clutch out, the momentum will drag the engine rpm up to meet the momentum.
opposite of that is over revving by giving too much gas for given momentum.

neither are best practice situations from a mechanical perspective (it would seem) but wont grenade the car if happens occasionally.

[gled21]

When I drive I like to pretend my car has a sequential gear box and go through the gears, usually heel toe unless I have the room to just engine brake. My philosophy is the more comfortable you are with your car the better you will drive on the track in a sense.